Knitting and Crochet Abbreviations

Standard Knitting and Crochet Abbreviations, Plus Some Popular Abbreviations From Vintage Knitting and Crochet Patterns

If you want to work from a knitting or crochet pattern, it’s important to understand the abbreviations given in the pattern. It’s my hope that, after you’re finished checking out this page, you’ll have a thorough understanding of knitting and crochet abbreviations.

Reason for Using Knitting and Crochet Abbreviations in Patterns:

Abbreviations aren’t meant to confuse you, or to challenge your intellectual abilities — although it might seem like that until you get used to using them. The main objective is simple: abbreviations save space. Without them, your crochet or knitting patterns would take up twice, three times, ten times or maybe even dozens of times more space than they do. Knitting and crochet books, magazines and patterns would be more expensive, possibly even prohibitively expensive. They would also be much more cumbersome than they are. So, we use abbreviations out of necessity, not because we like writing in secret codes that only other crafters can understand.

Where to Find Knitting and Crochet Abbreviations

Further down this page, you’ll find a list of standard knitting and crochet abbreviations, with a few not-standard abbreviations included and explained as well.

If you buy a pattern, a book or a magazine, most of the time, you’ll find that abbreviations are included somewhere in the text — in the front of the book, the back of the book, or perhaps along with each pattern. However, there are cases when the abbreviations get lost or damaged, so this list is handy to have. There are also cases when you print a pattern you found on the Internet, and the abbreviations somehow don’t get included.

alt = alternate

approx = approximately

beg = begin; beginning

bet = between

BL = back loop(s) is the standard abbreviation. However, in some vintage publications, “bl” could possibly be the abbreviation for either “block” or “bobble.”

Half DC = half double crochet. This is how the stitch is abbreviated in many vintage pattern books, but it is not the standard abbreviation that contemporary designers currently use.

hdc = half double crochet; this is the standard abbreviation to use if you are designing a crochet pattern for future use.

inc = increase, increases, increasing

incl = include, including, inclusive, This abbreviation is often found in vintage patterns.

K or k = knit

k2tog = decrease by knitting 2 stitches together

kwise = knitwise

Kn = knot stitch

La = lacet; this is a crochet stitch pattern that frequently appears in filet crochet patterns, particularly vintage patterns. There are different ways to work lacets, so if you are working from a pattern its’ best to refer to your pattern instructions. Otherwise, click here for lacet instructions.

LH = left hand

lp(s) = loop(s)

m = meter(s)

M1 = make 1 stitch

M1-ps = make 1 purl stitch

MC = main color

mm = millimeter(s)

O = over, as in “yarn over” or “thread over”. The lone “O” abbreviation is more often found in vintage publications than it is in current ones; nowadays it is more common to abbreviate a yarn over as “YO”.

pop = popcorn; this abbreviation is found in vintage sources, and it is not the standard abbreviation nowadays.

prev = previous

psso = pass slipped stitch over

pwise = purlwise

rem = remain, remaining

rep = repeat(s)

rev St st = reverse stocking stitch

RH = right hand

rnd(s) = round(s)

RS = right side

sc = single crochet. In contemporary crochet patterns, “sc” is the standard abbreviation for single crochet. In some vintage publications, like the vintage Richardsons crochet books, single crochet is abbreviated “s c” or “s. c.” (with a space between letters) and “sc” is the abbreviation for “scallop.”

sc2tog = work a decrease by single crocheting 2 stitches together

sk = skip

skp = slip, knit, pass stitch over to decrease one stitch

sk2p = slip 1, knit 2 together, pass stitch over the knit 2 together to decrease by two stitches

Richardson’s Crocheted Edgings and Insertions, Book No 3, Published by the Richardson Silk Company in 1916

Novelty Crochet Patterns, Book No 7, Published by Novelty Art Studios in 1916

This page was last updated on 1/7/2018.

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...textile designer, author, liveaboard cruising sailor, cat lover, wife and mama. This is Mike, my husband, the captain of our sailboat, and the tech guy who keeps this knitting and crochet website running smoothly. We invite you to click here to learn more about us.